AIVF Jefferson County
Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers

Ezine Number 67, March 24, 2004
 
From the Ezine Editor
 
In communications with various film industry people from around the nation there seems to be a growing emphasis on the incentive packages that lure productions to certain areas. Indications are that the Southeast stands on the brink of becoming the next mecca for movie production. Alabama in particular could come out ahead. The under lying current is what tax break can be given. I've had this in e-mails, if you look at Film Alliance page of March 8 http://reelscene.com/afta/aftaindex.html you will see this was a topic at the AFM last month. Even the next film about Johnny Cash will be shot not in his home state of Tennessee, but instead in Louisiana because the producers got a significant tax break due to the incentive package (Birmingham News, Tuesday Mar 23, 2004 page 2B). Our colleagues in Georgia are trying to get their incentive package passed http://reelscene.com/news/edge040318.html (and I repaired all screwy HTML code so that all the links work). Our own Alabama incentive packages http://reelscene.com/law/lawindex.html  are ready so we need to act.
 
But we need to act responsibly. One development that has occured is that close to 34,000 laws may be ruled as unconstitutional. http://reelscene.com/news/bn040318.html  Since many of these laws deal with funding and bond issues this could cause serious economic choas for the counties. Within the next few weeks, we could find ourselves with a much bigger task at hand.
 
News of the web site
 
I've been working on a lot restructuring in case you fond some pages not at their usual address. They're still there, you may have to go back through the main page to reconnect with them. The AIVF Jefferson Salon page is now at http://reelscene.com/jeffco/jeffcosalon.html  

And in order to keep all the information clear I've started putting the Georgia incentive news in it's own section. Go to http://reelscene.com/gafilm/gafilmindex.html 

 
AIVF Jefferson County Salon   http://reelscene.com/jeffco/jeffcosalon.html
 
Due to the professional obligations of some our members (we do work in the industry) our Tuesday night dates for the Salon meetings are no longer tenable. We will follow the below schedule for the summer months. All meetings are still 7:00 p.m. at the Irondale Public Library.

Thursday, April 8

Wednesday, May 12

Wednesday, June 9

 
Highlights of March 9 AIVF Jefferson County meeting
 
One of the topics was changing the night of the monthly Salon meeting. There has developed some professional obligations for several of the attendees and the current scheduled evening will not be tenable. This will require a search again. Locations for the Salon meeting was discussed and again another suitable place hasn't been found.
 
Some discussion about the local film industry and the role of the Birmingham Film Commission.
Discussion about the recent news of the proposed studio in the Shoals area and how SB 150 could help. Further discussion about how SB 150 could be applied here in Jefferson County. 
 
Discussion about the arts situation here in Birmingham.
 
A good bit of discussion about auditions, what to do, what to bring and about some of the local talent agencies. 
 
Discussion about the upcoming changes to the web site, some of the complimentry pages may be dropped due to the increase workload. A talent directory was discussed.
 
Some long range plans for documentries was discussed. Plans for workshops was discussed and how the youth could be involved. 
 
Attending the Script Development Workshop was discussed as a good way to start learning filmmaking.
 
A good bit of discussion about film festivals, advantages-disadvantages, cost & expenses to benefits, time involvement, entry rules & regulations. 
 
We also watched some of the Microshorts from 2002 and discussed them.  
 
"A Day In November" premiere   http://reelscene.com/calendar/daynov040402.html
 
"A Day In November" will premiere 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 2, 2004. The film is 30 minutes long and is rated PG-13. Admission is free.  Click on the above link for more information
 
Community events
 
There will be some speakers in Birmingham to talk about the current Israeli/Palestinian crisis. The difference is that they are three women each representing one of the major faiths in Jerusalem. They'll be at several loations around town on March 25 and 26. For more information go to http://reelscene.com/calendar/vision040325.html
 
Script Development Workshop     http://reelscene.com/script/scriptdevelop.html
 
The next meeting of the Script Development Workshop will be 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 19, 2004 at Books & Co. in Brookwood Village. Bring a script you are working on and share it with like minded peers. The meeting generally last to 9:00 p.m. although you are free to stay and talk till store closing. For more information contact Angela at angela@boang.com .
 
Students Participate in Scriptwriters Workshop http://reelscene.com/news/pp04025c.html
Students from Homewood Middle School can and participated Workshop, in the click on the above link for more information
 
News & General Announcements  http://reelscene.com/news/newsindex.html
 
"Camp D.O.A." wraps production  http://reelscene.com/news/mcf040312.html
 
Magic City Films has wrapped production on "Camp D.O.A.". The project now moves into post-production. The horror movie was film in and around the Birmingham, Alabama area by director Earl Hilliard, Jr. For more information click on the above link or go to www.magiccityfilms.com
 
Students Produce Movie Based on Real Life Experiences http://reelscene.com/news/pp04024b.html
 
What started out as a field trip to the Homewood City Hall for a Homewood Middle School civics class turned into a script and short film about their experience. The students had to navigate through a crowd of protesting fire fighters and local TV crews to sit in a City Council decision to trim the fire department budget. Using this occurrence as a basis for a script, the students later returned to the exact same council chambers and filmed their observance of their local government in action.
 
Billy Dee Williams scouts Huntsville for movie http://reelscene.com/news/ht040319.html
 
Actor Billy Dee Williams was in Huntsville recently drumming up support for the film "Constellation". The film is being directed by Jordan Walker-Pearlman and may start production in April 2004. Williams worked with Walker on his film "The Visit".
 
Georgia filmmakers call for increase in legislative action http://reelscene.com/gafilm/edge040318.html
 
Our colleagues to our neighboring state of Georgia are currently trying to rally support for a film incentive bill in their own legislative house. With support from EDGE, GPP and IMAGE there is a big push to get this economic package passed.
 
Alabama could have 34,000 laws declared unconstitutional http://reelscene.com/news/bn040318.html
 
Although not about the film industry, this news could have far reaching effects for all the counties in the state. With a lot of our current tax code called into question, we could be facing a greater financial problem than the one being currently discussed.  
 
Blitz Pages

The Alabama Blitz Pages, a new 61-page state resource guide for actors and filmmakers, is now available for quick and easy downloading at: www.blitzpages.com.  Price is $10.95.
 
For more information, contact:
Kathy Goral
Perissa Publishers
 
From National AIVF
 
National Arts Advocacy Day, March 29-31
 
AIVF is a national co-sponsor of Americans for the Arts Arts Advocacy Day. Arts Advocacy Day is an annual lobbying event that is strategically timed to give grassroots advocates the opportunity to shape federal arts policy andeducate members of Congress. This past year, arts advocates succeeded in securing increased funding for both the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities, as well as increased funding for arts education programs within the U.S. Department of Education.
 
Americans for the Arts provides a comprehensive online Toolkit that summarizes key issues and talking points, voting records, and contact information for your Senators and Representatives. It's a great resource to familiarize yourself with federal programs for artists and arts audiences, and how you can advocate for more support for the media arts.
 
Arts Advocacy Toolkit:
http://www.americansforthearts.org/issues/advocacy/advocacy_article.asp?id=1342
 
For more information on Arts Advocacy Day, visit:
http://www.americansforthearts.org/services/events/arts_advocacy_04.asp
 
For more information about AIVF media advocacy visit:
http://www.aivf.org/advocacy/

9663 Santa Monica Boulevard, #238
Beverly Hills, CA  90210
Service Machine:  310-724-2174
Email: kathy@blitzpages.com
 
AIVF Atlanta Salon

Each month IMAGE works in conjunction with the Association of Independent
Video and Filmmakers to sponsor informal, educational salons. These meetings are free and open to the public. Salons are held the second Tuesday of each month from 7pm-8:30 pm @ Atlanta Contemporary Art Center (The Contemporary) (535 Means Street Atlanta, Georgia 30318, phone 404-688-1970). 7:00pm-7:30pm, group networking;
7:30pm-8:30pm, special guest discussion and Q & A.
 
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
SO ATLANTA!: Artists Respond to the Contemporary City.
IMAGE Film & Video in collaboration with The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center will be celebrating the arts in Atlanta. An artist's view of living and working in Atlanta, 'So Atlanta!' explores how artists have contributed to the culture and image of the city just as the city has shaped them. Local guest speaker: Jacob Gentry - Writer/director of "The Last Goodbye".
 
Production/Crew Announcements    http://reelscene.com/prod/prodindex.html
 
Editor Needed

SKILLED FINAL CUT 4 EDITOR Needed for fine cut/on-line documentary edit. Equip provided. Must be able to execute technical broadcast requirements. F/T temp, flexible hours. Pay $25 per hr negotiable. Position in Atlanta.
Mail reel to: 3952 1st Street SW Washington, DC 20032 Fax resume to: 202-462-3642

 
Classes, Workshops    check  http://reelscene.com/classes/classindex.html
From IMAGE in Atlanta,
 
Camera Assistant 101, a few slots remaining 
 
Budgeting Solutions For Features And Docs! classes start soon
 

Filmmaking Grants   check  http://reelscene.com/grants/grantsindex.html

NATPE Educational Foundation Accepting Submissions for Annual Student Video & Film Production Awards
 
 Deadline: May 3, 2004
 
The National Association of Television Program Executives'  (NATPE) Educational Foundation( http://www.natpe.org/ ) is accepting submissions for its annual Student Video &  Film Production Awards, sponsored by the Lippin Family Trust.
 
The awards recognize excellence in the production of student video and film projects worldwide, and are open to any full-time, matriculated undergraduate college student. Entries, which must be a student-produced video or film production related to the applicant's school or university, will be judged on concept, execution, and creativity. Each video may not exceed two minutes in length. Submissions may be fiction or nonfiction and take any form (commercials, PSAs, human interest stories, biographies, interviews, cultural events, etc.).
 
A $3,000 cash prize and a matching donation to the student's academic department will be awarded to the winner. In addition, the faculty or staff supervisor  listed with the winning entry will be included as a Faculty Fellow at NATPE's annual conference in 2005. The second-place winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize along with a matching cash donation to his/her academic department.
 
Additional information and entry forms are available at the NATPE Web site.
 
 
Entries Invited for Excellence in Urban Journalism Award
 
Deadline: June 1, 2004
 
The Enterprise Foundation ( http://www.enterprisefoundation.org/ ) and the Freedom Forum ( http://www.enterprisefoundation.org/ ) present the Excellence in Urban Journalism Award each year to encourage and recognize quality reporting on major issues facing the nation's urban populations, particularly in inner cities.
 
Broadcasts, articles, or series written/produced by a single reporter or a team can qualify. Topics may include, but are not limited to, housing, community safety, community development, welfare-to-work, child care, and transportation. The piece should discuss how a city or community has been affected by the situation and, ideally, should include reporting on the outcome or resolution of the situation or show responses through such vehicles as editorials and letters to the editor. The entry must have been published or broadcast during the 2003 calendar year.
 
The award and a check for $5,000 will be presented to the winning journalist or journalists.
 
See the Enterprise Foundation Web site for complete program information.
 
 
More Disney Corp. news
 
Now, a group of investors have decided to vote a no-support for embattled CEO Michael Eisner in spite of a record earning for the Disney stock, This is a highly unusual move for Fidelity Investments and T. Rowe Price which prefers to sell it's shares to avoid a fight with management. For more Information go to
 
 
Director Fights For Film Release
 
Mickey, Goofy and Donald could have been in the last traditional animated film produced by Disney Corp. instead of the upcoming "Home On The Range". A completely finish re-telling of "The Three Musketeers" will set on the shelf and possibly go straight to a DVD instead of making a theatrical premiere. The decision by Eisner is not made on the content of the film (not viewed before making the decision) but rather by Eisner's assertion that 'it's time for new mutation of Mickey, meaning a CG version.' Director Donovan Cook is asking for an e-mail campaign to show support for the film. For more information go to  

If you would like to respond with any comments, updates, announcements, blurbs, quips, jibs, exhortations or advice, you can contact,
 
Ezine Editor, aivfbham@bellsouth.net